Lunch after whale watching The clam chowder was the best I've ever had. Cozy spot away from the bustle of the boardwalk. Wish we had more time to come back!

My family drove over to Monterey to have some seafood. We went to Old Fisherman's Grotto restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was excellent! thank you, Pablo! I recommend the clam chowder, oysters Rockefeller, fried shrimp, calamari eggplant and the banana cream pie!!! And you can't beat the view.

My husband and I took an impromptu trip to Monterey. It was our first time back since COVID. We really wanted to grab some clam chowder, and Old Fisherman's Grotto popped up on every single list I googled.

We stayed at a hotel that was within walking distance, but drove the first night. Parking is vast, inexpensive and easy to figure out for paying.

Upon arrival at this restaurant, around 5:30-6 pm, we were seated right away upstairs (we had no reservation), and the place was busy. From start to finish the service was absolutely STELLAR. We got clam chowder, mine just a cup as it came with my entree. My husband wanted a bowl, but didn't realize how large of a serving a bowl was. It was gigantic and served in a clam shell. Great serving size for the price considering it was generous with noticeable clam chunks in it. More importantly, it was delicious. Now we understand why it's even sold by the can here. For drinks we had an amaretto sour & Long Island. I got their fish special entree and my husband got the filet mignon. We were so full that we didn't order dessert. They even give the ladies roses at the end of dinner. Everything was delicious... so much that we went for dinner again on that same trip.

From location to service to quality food... Amazing. Hands down, we will be coming back here. Again and again and again.

This is a family favorite. Being it's Easter Sunday today we thought it might be super busy and I didn't made any reservation, but we were seated under 5 minutes. Always love that it's quiet and service is on time. Our server Iman is awesome! He explains the lunch menus, such a vibrant and positive vibe from him, very courteous as well. We were craving for sea foods so I got the ultimate wharf platter while my hubby got the lobster, and of course my daughter ordered the 16 0z ribeye steak. We started with the ever delicious clam chowder in cups.
The service her stays exemplary plus the ambiance that gives you an upscale feel even if it's on the wharf. Keep it up guys!

We stopped here for a late lunch. Our server was Pablo (Downstairs) He really took care of us and made the visit extra pleasant. My glass was always refilled. We had the artichoke for an appetizer and it was delicious. The best was the clam chowder. The best we've ever had. Highly recommend this place!

What a wonderful meal we had on a Friday night! The oysters were good and the ultimate seafood with pappardelle pasta was delicious. Service was quick, but maybe a bit too fast for us as we were not done with the plates when they wanted to take them away. Not a big deal. Clam chowder and creme brulee were yummy. My wife and two daughters even got red roses. It was nice that the manager/owner checked on the guests. The owner's son, Austin, noticed my Nike cactus hoodie and asked if I attended UA as we were leaving. I reluctantly told him I graduated in 1997. Austin is also a Wildcat. Small world. Austin and the whole staff were super nice. We will be back soon...

Dining at Old Fisherman's Grotto in Monterey is an experience that transcends the ordinary, offering a harmonious blend of culinary excellence, inviting ambiance, and impeccable service. Our recent visit for a special dinner was nothing short of extraordinary, meriting a resounding five-star rating across all facets.

Appetizers: A Prelude to Perfection

We commenced our meal with the renowned Original 'Monterey Style' Clam Chowder, served in a garlic butter-toasted bread bowl. This rich, creamy chowder, brimming with tender clams and a hint of garlic, set a high standard from the outset. Complementing this was the Crab Meat Tower--a visually stunning assembly of Dungeness crabmeat and avocado, delicately tossed in lemon dill aioli, and adorned with a fresh mango and papaya relish . The interplay of textures and flavors was both refreshing and indulgent.

Entrées: A Symphony of Seafood

For the main course, the Macadamia Crusted Halibut stood out as a masterpiece. This Alaskan halibut, encrusted with macadamia nuts and panko, was grilled to perfection and topped with a tropical fruit salsa and pineapple citrus sauce. Accompanied by maple sweet potatoes and sautéed organic vegetables, each bite offered a delightful contrast of sweet and savory notes.

Equally impressive was the Ultimate Seafood Risotto--a luxurious medley featuring half a lobster, salmon, and prawns atop a bay scallop risotto, complemented by grilled asparagus and a chili beurre blanc . The dish was a harmonious blend of flavors, with each seafood component cooked to tender perfection.

Dessert: A Sweet Finale

Concluding our meal was the Strawberry Shortcake--a classic dessert executed with finesse. The layers of fluffy cake, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream provided a light and satisfying end to our dining experience.

Ambiance and Service: Coastal Elegance

The restaurant's ambiance exudes coastal charm, with warm lighting and nautical décor creating an inviting atmosphere. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge of the menu enhanced our experience, ensuring a seamless and memorable evening.

Conclusion: A Culinary Gem

Old Fisherman's Grotto delivers an exceptional dining experience that celebrates Monterey's rich seafood heritage. With its meticulously crafted dishes, welcoming ambiance, and outstanding service, it stands as a culinary gem on the wharf. We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a memorable meal in Monterey.

The menu was very large too many enticing options. It was hard to decide but we decided to get some appetizers and split a pasta. We got 4 appetizers, oysters half shell, dungeoness crab tower, and the crab cakes with mango. All of them were pretty amazing and the chicken parm and pene were both so good. Our waiter Miguel A had great customer service and gave us a special memory for our anniversary.

Celebrated my birthday here with family. It's great that this was a walking distance from where we were staying and that we had made reservations online. The host greeted us and escorted us up the stairs to our booth by a window. Loved the corner booth and the wonderful view of the marina.

Our server, Giovanni, was very nice and helpful. He provided an overview of their specials and when asked, offered his thoughts on our selection. He also gladly took pictures of our party.

Their Fried Calamari appetizer is a generous portion of tender lightly battered and seasoned calamari strips and tentacles served with lemon, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce.

We got the Local Rock Cod Fillet Parmesan Crusted on their specials and it was served with a lemon caper white sauce and roasted potatoes and sautéed broccolini and carrots.

We shared the Captain's Plate which came with a lobster tail, scallops, shrimp and salmon fillet with a lemon herb sauce. I enjoyed the toasted Israeli couscous and sautéed organic broccolini and carrots.

Another item on their specials was the Wharf Platter which comes with half Dungeness Crab, prawns and salmon with butternut squash risotto and sautéed veggies.

They have an extensive selection of wine, cocktails and other drinks to complement your sumptuous meal.

They bring around a tray of desserts for you to see and make a choice. Very enticing indeed 🙂

The Creme Brûlée was decadent and perfect for sharing.
They made my birthday extra special with a slice of cheesecake and roses compliments of "Mr. Shake".

Thank you for a wonderful experience!